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Step 6: Numerical Results

Total Deformation

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https://confluence.cornell.edu/download/attachments/125812731/10ElemTotDefCornellian_full.png

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When ANSYS displays the beam deformation, it just connects the displacements at nodes by straight lines. The display ignores the fact that we also have the slope at the nodes. So you'll see an unphysical-looking kinked line in the deformation display. This is a shortcoming of the display, not of the underlying beam element formulation. You'll see the displayed deformed shape getting smoother as you refine the mesh.

The beam deformation can be animated by clicking on the play button, Image Removed, which is located underneath the beam deformation results. This will interpolate between the initial undeformed and final deformed configurations.

Maximum Bending Stress

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Note that in this display, ANSYS shows the same value across the cross-section. This visualization is misleading. The maximum bending stress occurs only at the top fiber. The value that ANSYS reports is 4.635 MPa which matches the value from the Pre-Analysis exactly.

Bending Moment

To view the bending moment along the beam, click Total Bending Moment in the Outline window. You should see the following in the graphics window.

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https://confluence.cornell.edu/download/attachments/125812731/BendingMoment.png?version=1&modificationDate=1316567309000

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https://confluence.cornell.edu/download/attachments/125812731/Graph.png?version=1&modificationDate=1316567430000

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$
M = F \times d = (8000 N) \times (4 m) = 32000 \mbox{ Nm}
$

So this checks out. We also notice that the minimum moment 1.1278E-10 Nm. Because this value is over 1E-14 smaller that the largest value, it can be assumed to be zero to machine precision.

Directional Bending Moment

To view the directional bending moment along the beam, click Directional Bending Moment in the Outline window. You should see the following in the graphics window. The Directional Bending Moment gives us the sign along with the magnitude.

Image Removed
click here for full view

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Go to Step 7: Verification & Validation

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